Johnson & Johnson just agreed to pay $5.5 billion over baby powder cancer claims, but its own lawyer still insists the lawsuits have no meritJohnson & Johnson has taken another major step toward ending its long-running talc litigation. The company has agreed to a proposed $5.5 billion settlement that could resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc-based products, including baby powder, caused ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson Vice President of Litigation Erik Haas said the company continues to believe the lawsuits have no merit but agreed to settle so it can focus on developing medicines and medical devices. Johnson & Johnson reaches a 5.5 billion dollar settlement in lawsuits alleging its talc products cause ovarian cancer. The company lost a major case involving 22 women who were awarded a multibillion-dollar verdict after claiming baby powder caused their ovarian cancer.